This psalm does not appear to have been written by David because in verse 1 the writer mentions “the Lord brought back His exiles to Jerusalem”. The only exile we are familiar with is the Babylonian Captivity, 606 – 536 B.C. Some have suggested Ezra may have been the author.
The fact they returned from exile brought great joy to the people. They felt like God had done amazing things for them, and they were happy to be home where they belonged. “Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy.” (Verse 3)
Sometimes we Christians become exiled or at least we think we are. There are times when our lives seem fruitless, and we become discouraged and want to give up. We may become so down we leave our church and wander aimlessly in our spiritual lives looking for something else to find fulfillment in.
Solomon had this problem causing his son, Reheboam, to lose 10 of the 12 tribes of Israel. In the early church, there was a preacher, John Chrysostom (Chrysostom means Golden Mouth), who on Sunday would see his church members run off to the horse races as soon as church was over. John said, “My work is like that of a man who is trying to clean a piece of ground into which a muddy stream is constantly flowing.” Many preachers feel that way.
But Christians can return from the horse races or whatever exile they are in. We may be glad to be home and like the writer we pray, “Restore our fortunes, Lord, as streams renew a desert.” But it may be like starting over causing us to doubt again.
The writer responds to the start over in verses 5 and 6. “Those who plant with tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.” There is hope for all returned exiles if we take each opportunity God gives us and faithfully listen and respond to what ideas God places in our hearts and minds.